The next day, when Von Sinen came to see her, he found her more merry, more resigned and quieter. He thought that perchance she might return the paper, that she would have pity on herself, but he soon learned that he was mistaken. Cosel said to him when he entered,--
"I pity you. You will not gain the King's favours, my brave relation, Löwendahl will not care for you; Flemming will not make you drunk, and you will not get even a thousand thalers. I am so stubborn--mad! Is it not true?"
"Then all my efforts were in vain?"
"Yes," said she, taking a ring from her finger. "I pity you, my unsuccessful messenger, and I should like you to preserve a souvenir of my goodwill: accept this ring. It is no longer an agreeable souvenir for me, it makes me ache like a wound. Take it, pray!"
Von Sinen accepted the ring. He tried once more to persuade her, but Cosel laughed.
"Spare yourself the trouble and me the worry. I know your arguments, they will not persuade me."
Before leaving Halle, the Chamberlain came once again. He was sad, but did not say anything. Cosel was surprised at his return.
"I pity you so much," said he, "that I cannot refrain from telling you what you have to expect."
"I know that it is nothing pleasant," she interrupted, "but it would not change my determination. I shall not return the promise signed by the King. He was perfectly free to give it to me or not, but the King cannot ask for the return of his promise given to a woman, and thus cheat her. I cannot even suspect that it is the King's will. Such vile men as Flemming and Löwendahl might wish to get hold of it without the King's knowledge in order to make him pay for it. The King cannot ask it from me!"
She turned and left the room. The same day Von Sinen left Halle; he went away with a strange feeling. The first time he was sent to her, he fulfilled his duty with the cold blood of a diplomat; little by little the stability of this woman, her bravery, perseverance, character, made such a deep impression on him that he was ashamed of his rôle. He pitied her and felt humiliated.